A Minocqua Fire and Rescue Department official said it “was a slap in the face” after the town board refused to add additional money to the fire department’s budget for 2020 and to make the fire chief a full time, paid position.
Charlie Ouimette, a 39-year member and captain of the volunteer department, made the comment during last week’s annual town meeting where the levy was approved. “I’m disappointed in the board,” said the captain, who added that the department prides itself on how frugal it has been over the years in requesting taxpayer funding.
Ouimette wanted the board to add $15,000 to the department’s budget to offset costs of training new members. He also wanted the one-time allocation of $20,000 for air packs in 2019 rolled over to the 2020 budget.